DID YOU READ

Critic wrangle: “Slipstream.”

"Slipstream" marks Anthony Hopkins‘ third turn behind the camera, and it is either a bravura break from the confines of traditional narrative filmmaking or astonishingly pretentious hooey. Most critics are voting for hooey, or, as Ed Gonzalez at Slant put it, "Holy caca!" ("Finally, the ‘Nearer, Father, Nearer’ video from Ghost World stretched to feature length!" he adds. Finally! Though we think it might actually be "Mirror, Father, Mirror," no?). "Not so much ill conceived and misdirected as unconceived and undirected, this is folly on a grand scale," claims Jonathan Rosenbaum at the Chicago Reader, while Noel Murray at the Onion AV Club suggests

If nothing else, Slipstream is astonishing just for the way it lets us in on what Hopkins has been thinking about all these years. Turns out, he’s been pondering the slipperiness of identity among people who make their living pretending. And he’s also been thinking a lot about Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. And Richard Nixon.

Stephen Holden at the New York Times is also dissatisfied: "Stuffed with references to old movies and insider lore about life on a movie set, much of ‘Slipstream’ feels like a loosely connected series of jokes." For Jeff Reichert at indieWIRE, the problem lies in the film’s lack of center and deconstructing of what was never established to being with: "’Slipstream’ calls to mind David Lynch’s ‘Inland Empire’ gone horribly awry–Lynch, an expert in bending cinematic reality to his will, had the good sense to masterfully seduce audiences into his rabbit hole. Hopkins, seemingly less sure of himself, hyperactively assaults from the start." Lynch comparison come up in several reviews; Andrew O’Hehir at Salon allows that "The film has moments of goofy delight, some pseudo-David Lynch spookery and a couple of comic supporting turns." Beyond that, though, he adds "the movie as a whole is nonsense. I’m glad that Hopkins has apparently been using the bland, middlebrow stage of his acting career to experiment with massive doses of psychotropic chemicals and open the doors of perception and all that." "Who would have guessed that Hopkins’s brain was such an impenetrable inland empire?" adds Aaron Hillis at the Village Voice. "Hopkins claims it’s a comedy, and perhaps John Turturro’s live-action cartoon of a mogul producer suggests so, but what does it all mean? That art can be just as shallow as Hollywood?"

Roger Ebert, however, tentatively declares his support: "Now is ‘Slipstream’ worth seeing? I think so, if you’ll actively engage your sympathy with Hopkins’ attempt to do something tricky and difficult. If you want to lie back and let the movie come to you, you may be lying there a long time."

The Best Of The Last

The end is near. In mere days Portlandia wraps up its final season, and oh what a season it’s been. Lucky for you, you can watch the entire season right now right here and on the IFC app, including this free episode courtesy of Subaru.

But now, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the new classics Fred and Carrie have so thoughtfully bestowed upon us. (We’ll be looking back through tear-blurred eyes, but you do you.)

Couples Dinner

It’s not that being single sucks, it’s that you suck if you’re single.

Cancel it!

A sketch for anyone who has cancelled more appointments than they’ve kept. Which is everyone.

Forgotten America

This one’s a “Serial” killer…everything both right and wrong about true crime podcasts.

Wedding Planners

The only bad wedding is a boring wedding.

Disaster Hut

It’s only the end of the world if your doomsday kit doesn’t include rosé.

Your Portlandia Personality Test

Carrie and Fred understand that although we have so much in common, we’re each so beautifully unique and different. To help us navigate those differences, Portlandia has found an easy and honest way to embrace our special selves in the form of a progressive new traffic system: a specific lane for every kind of driver. It’s all in honor of the show’s 8th and final season, and it’s all presented by Subaru.

Ready to find out who you really are? Match your personality to a lane and hop on the expressway to self-understanding.

Lane 10: Trucks Piled With Junk

Your junk is falling out of your trunk. Shake a tail light, people — this lane is for you.

Lane 33: Twins

You’re like a Gemini, but waaaay more pedestrian. Maybe you and a friend just wear the same outfits a lot. Who cares, it’s just twinning enough to make you feel special.

Lane 27: Broken Windows

Bad luck follows you around and everyone knows it. Your proverbial seat is always damp from proverbial rain. Is this the universe telling you to swallow your pride? Yes.

Lane 69: Filthy Cars

You’re all about convenience. Getting your car washed while you drive is a no-brainer.

Lane 43: Newly Divorced Singles

It’s been a while since you’ve driven alone, and you don’t know the rules of the road anymore. What’s too fast? What’s too slow? Are you sending the right signals? Don’t worry, the breakdown lane is nearby if you need it.

Still can’t find a lane to match your personality? Check out all the videos here. And see the final season of Portlandia this spring on IFC.

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the final countdown to Christmas and thanks to IFC’s movie marathon all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can revel in classic ’80s films AND find inspiration for your last-minute gifts. Here are our recommendations, if you need a head start:

Musical Instrument

Great analog entertainment substitute when you refuse to give your kid the Nintendo Switch they’ve been drooling over.

Breakfast In Bed

Any significant other or child would appreciate these Uncle Buck-approved flapjacks. Just make sure you’re not stuck on clean up duty.

Cocktail Supplies

You’ll need them to get through the holidays.

Dance Lessons

So you can learn to shake-shake-shake (unless you know ghosts willing to lend a hand).

Comfy Clothes

With all the holiday meals, there may be some…embigenning.

Get even more great inspiration all Christmas Eve and Day on IFC, and remember…